Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
“Good soil is not just dirt. It is a hive of life, much of it either microscopic or even disgusting to urban eyes because urbanites don't understand the need for the growth and decay of slimy things to sustain life. Good farmers are not just people who dig in the dirt. They are the stewards of healthy soil.”
George B. Pyle, Land Institute, Salina, KansasPesticide use is both controversial and prevalent. Many individuals believe pesticides are necessary to destroy the enemies of human agriculture and health. Others believe we can use organic farming to accomplish these ends without synthetic pesticides. Another group believes pesticides are needed, but recognizes their limitations, and use integrated pest management to minimize pesticide use. There is no simple answer, but we do need answers. Consider this challenge from the authors of an article called, Can green chemistry promote sustainable agriculture? “Human population is increasing. Demand for food is rising … Environmental impacts are worsening. Taken together, few issues reflect the difficulties of sustainable development more than the problem of controlling pests and increasing food production while protecting the environment and conserving natural resources.” Section I of this chapter overviews what pesticides are, why we use them, and who uses them. Section II looks at pesticides as pollutants, where exposure occurs, their impacts on non-target species, and pesticide resistance. Section III examines how we can reduce the risk of pesticides by regulation, by changing the nature of pesticides, and by changing farming methods.
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